My Soothing Balm for Today

Psalm 55

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Amaskil of David. ^[a]

 1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
       do not ignore my plea;

 2 hear me and answer me.
       My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

 3 at the voice of the enemy,
       at the stares of the wicked;
       for they bring down suffering upon me
       and revile me in their anger.

 4 My heart is in anguish within me;
       the terrors of death assail me.

 5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
       horror has overwhelmed me.

 6 I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
       I would fly away and be at rest-

 7 I would flee far away
       and stay in the desert;
       Selah

 8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,
       far from the tempest and storm."

 9 Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech,
       for I see violence and strife in the city.

 10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
       malice and abuse are within it.

 11 Destructive forces are at work in the city;
       threats and lies never leave its streets.

 12 If an enemy were insulting me,
       I could endure it;
       if a foe were raising himself against me,
       I could hide from him.

 13 But it is you, a man like myself,
       my companion, my close friend,

 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
       as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

 15 Let death take my enemies by surprise;
       let them go down alive to the grave, ^[b]
       for evil finds lodging among them.

 16 But I call to God,
       and the LORD saves me.

 17 Evening, morning and noon
       I cry out in distress,
       and he hears my voice.

 18 He ransoms me unharmed
       from the battle waged against me,
       even though many oppose me.

 19 God, who is enthroned forever,
       will hear them and afflict them—
       Selah
       men who never change their ways
       and have no fear of God.

 20 My companion attacks his friends;
       he violates his covenant.

 21 His speech is smooth as butter,
       yet war is in his heart;
       his words are more soothing than oil,
       yet they are drawn swords.

 22 Cast your cares on the LORD
       and he will sustain you;
       he will never let the righteous fall.

 23 But you, O God, will bring down the wicked
       into the pit of corruption;
       bloodthirsty and deceitful men
       will not live out half their days.
       But as for me, I trust in you.